Xolani Kacela

Unitarian Universalists are called to go beyond the walls of our community in order to engage with the critical social and civic conversations of our day. This kind of broader, public leadership is an invitation to embody our faith’s prophetic vision and voice.

December Light

Our 63nd Year

Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces

Low and Slow For the Holidays

Sometimes, when I see and hear from my Unitarian Universalist colleagues and many church members, I want say to them, “Take a break from the 24-hour news cycle; especially The Rachel Maddow Show. Just back away from the screen.” This is the season to take it “low and slow.”

“Low and slow” is a phrase that some of my friends use to describe how they are living. It’s a good place to be during the holiday season when everything around us is pushing us to move fast and furious.

Many people will outright reject “low and slow” just on principle. They need the excitement of the crazy-busy lifestyle. But, actually, boring is where the action is. That’s what I love about “low and slow.” I don’t need the drama of crazy-busy to feel alive.

This holiday season, I invite you to back, back, back, back, back, back away from the Rachel Maddow’s of the world. Turn on “A Christmas Story” or one of my favorites, “The Preacher’s Wife.” Or simply return to the quiet and reflect.

Go “low and slow” and have yourself a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Conveying love, Rev. XK

Board of Trustees Actions

The purpose of this column is to keep you informed about recent Board of Trustee actions. Complete minutes of all Board meetings may be viewed in the office; please contact the Congregational Administrator. The board meets on the third Wednesday of the month.

A formal motion was passed (to supplement an earlier online BOT vote) to authorize spending money from the rental fund to hire a licensed building inspector to examine all of the rental units owned by the church. Reports on the house and apartments are complete, with the emphasis on determining what is wrong with these structures and what are the necessary requirements for remediation. After a brief overview of the conclusions of the reports a motion was passed to tell the rental management company, Monarch, that the currently vacant house should not be rented until further notice. The BOT will continue the study of this issue.

A motion was passed to form an ad hoc Safety and Security Committee whose purpose would be to review the security and safety of the physical campus.

A motion was passed to accept the slate of candidates presented by the Co-Chairs of the Leadership Committee. Three BOT positions and three Leadership Committee member positions will be filled at the next election on January 13, 2019. The BOT will present their two candidates for the Committee on Ministry at the December BOT meeting. The webmaster will send this information out through secure website email at least 15 days prior to the election.

After reviewing a spike in charges for water usage in the last two months, the BOT agreed to engage a plumber to determine what possible cause might exist for this change in charges.

Upcoming Services

Our ancestors may have lived in the long-ago faraway, but the great cycles of the natural world are just as relevant to us today as they ever were. In the middle of this season of holidays, the solstice gives us a chance to connect with the rhythms of the … read more.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa speak to all of us, not just those of African heritage. The first principle, which in Swahili is Umoja, is unity. In a time when there are so many efforts afoot to sew disunity and stimulate tribalism and conflict, all … read more.

Upcoming Roundtables

Education never ends. Come join our discussions. Our goal is to learn more about all sides of issues and more about each other. If you have a comment or suggestion, email it to roundtable@uuchurchlc.org.

Nomination can be sent in writing to the church office or by email to socialjustice@uuchurchlc.org. Recipients of Change 4 Change will be determined at the Congregational Meeting on January 20; three organizations for 2019 and one for the first quarter of 2020 will be chosen.

New Social Justice Ministry

Interfaith Support for Asylum Seekers

UUCLC will be providing meals and supplies for the asylum seekers who, while they are in transition to their sponsors, receive hospitality from the Border Servant Corps (BSC) at Peace Lutheran Church. Our work in December will take the form of providing:

Dinner for a group of asylum seekers on Wednesday, December 5.

New underwear for men, women, and children at an Undie Sunday in December.

Signup sheets will be available on Sundays, and more details will follow in the NUUs. For much more information about BSC’s humanitarian effort and about our involvement with it, please contact Susan Bagby.

Martin Luther King – Day of Work

Plans are under way to celebrate MLK Day with a Day of Work in January, 2019. If you would like to volunteer and participate contact Carla Campbell.

Worth Noting

Thank you so much for the kind messages, support and extra help. We miss you all and are settling in well in Wenatchee, Wash. Joel is enjoying his internship at Cascade Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Rachel is continuing her work as a graphic designer with her company Pretty Nice Creations. We’d love to keep in touch: Please contact the church office or Lyn Pearson for our home address.

Thank you & Happy Holidays!
Rachel and Joel Courtney

Sharpening Your Communication Skills

Many of our church leaders have told me that they want to improve the communications process at the church. Their opinions are important, so I’ve been searching for ways to help us evolve to a highly-communicative leadership team. You’ll appreciate that I’ve found a dynamite podcast episode that will help us move forward. It has some very doable strategies. If each one of you listens to this podcast and

Please let me know what you think. And remember, if you are a lay leader everything that you receive on the Lay Leadership email distribution list should go to your team members. They are leaders too!

Editor’s note: This podcast is located under the MEMBER/LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT tab of the website and also in the Minister’s Musings section on the site’s home page.

WANTED – Lay Service Leaders, Service Associates, and Service Assistants

The Sunday Services Committee is seeking NEW FACES to assist with Sunday worship services. If you haven’t participated in a service for a while, or if you have never done so but are interested in giving it a try, hesitate no longer! Contact either Haney Pearson or Maggie Locatelli (co-chairs of the Sunday Service Committee). They will be glad to give you more information.

Three different levels of involvement are outlined below. Training for volunteers for ALL of the positions outlined below will occur on Saturday, February 23rd, 9 AM until noon. There will be reminders closer to the February 23rd date.

Service Leader (SL)

A lay Service Leader, approved by the Sunday Service Committee, is responsible for developing and coordinating a service when the Minister is absent from the pulpit. The Service Leader coordinates with others, e.g., the directors of religious education and music, musicians, and either a Service Associate or Service Assistant, etc., to ensure that all elements of the Sunday worship service are addressed. The SL delivers the main message of the service and assigns other parts of the service to an assistant. The SL is responsible for all parts of the worship service.

The Sunday Services Committee has recently defined two types volunteers to assist in worship. Either a Service Assistant OR a Service Associate will support the Minister or a lay Service Leader in every service.

Service Associate (SASS)

A Service Associate, identified by the Sunday Service Committee, will collaborate with the Minister or other service leader in preparing the worship service. The SASS will be contacted by the Service Leader about two weeks prior to the service in order to begin collaborating. The SASS may be asked to present readings or perform other tasks determined by the service leader. The SASS may agree to independently research the topic of the service, or offer their own thematically relevant perspectives, reflections, insights or readings. This material will be discussed and agreed upon with the Minister or Service Leader. The SASS is likely to meet more than once and engage in email and phone contact with the Minister or Service Leader prior to the service. The SASS is usually responsible for independent research and writing.

Service Assistant (SANT)

A Service Assistant, identified by the Sunday Service Committee, is responsible for assisting the Minister, a Guest Speaker, or a Service Leader in delivering Sunday worship service(s). The SANT will be contacted by the service leader about 2 weeks prior to the service in order to review what the service will include and to clarify the SANT’s accountability for certain components of the service. The SANT is not responsible for any independent research or writing.

Smile When You Buy from Amazon

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How Do I Use AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you are prompted to select a charitable organization from our list of eligible organizations. You can change your selection at any time.

To change your charitable organization:

Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.

From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page. Change your Charity is under a section of the page called Shopping Programs and Rentals.

Don’t Forget

Sometimes it’s platinum, silver, diamonds, or sapphires. Every Sunday through noon on December 16, you have a chance to buy a raffle ticket for a $750 dollar gift certificate to Austin’s Fine Jewelry. Tickets are on sale in the church lobby before and after both services. The winner will be chosen after the December 16 Congregational Meeting and you do not need to be present to win.

Dec 1 and ongoing Undie Sunday

There will be a box in the Religious Education Building Great Room for new, in the package underwear in men’s sizes small and women’s sizes 4, 5, and 6 for underpants, and women’s size small or medium sports bras. The immigrants we are helping (along with other faiths) are small people and the goal is to provide them with new, clean undergarments since most have been travelling for weeks or even longer in the same clothing. This may not be glamorous, but it will be VASTLY appreciated.

Dec 1 Social Justice Committee

Gillian Leng and Linda Peterson will assume leadership of the Social Justice Committee on December 1, 2018.

Dec 9 Truffle Sale

There will be a truffle sale on Sunday, December 9, 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon in the Game Room of the Religious Education Building (just off the Great Room). There will be 12 flavors to choose from; one of them will be new. The price is $3 for a package of 3 or $20 for seven packages (a savings of $1). A bulk order of a single flavor (your choice) of 36 truffles can be pre-ordered for $30 (a savings of $5). Call Elwin (640-1047) by Dec 6 for pre-orders. All money from the sale goes to the General Fund of the church.

Dec 8 Annual Budget Hearing

The annual budget hearing will be on December 8, from 9:00 AM until noon in the church library. This is the time and place to ask questions about how our funds are being allocated for the coming year. Let us hear your voice. You will be able to access the 2019 budget by December 6.

Dec 8 Volunteer Visitor Orientation and Training

Train to work with Advocate Visitors with Immigrants in Detention (AVID), 2-4 PM at the Columban Mission Center, 816 McGoffin Avenue, El Paso, TX. Advocate Visitors with Immigrants in Detention (AVID) in the Chihuahuan Desert, the group formerly known as CIVIC (Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement), is holding orientation and training for new volunteers. AVID volunteers visit or write to immigrants detained in El Paso ICE Processing Center, Otero County Processing Center, Otero County Prison Facility, and West Texas Detention Center.

Pen pals and visitors are valuable in lessening the isolation of those who are detained awaiting their immigration hearings. Many have come to the U.S. seeking safety from persecution, only to find themselves incarcerated for indefinite periods, and facing obstacles to pursuing their asylum cases. Others are lawful permanent residents who have been targeted by ICE operations, and detained far from their families. All of them suffer mistreatment and poor conditions. Volunteers offer compassion and friendship, and they end up learning about other cultures as well as the reality of our treatment of immigrants.

Those detained often speak multiple languages, and in many cases speak English. However, we also need of volunteers who can visit or write to people who speak Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, and Punjabi. All interested volunteers are welcome.

If you are interested in learning more, and you cannot attend this training please contact the Program Coordination Team (civiclc16@gmail.com) to put your name on the list for the next training session.

While AVID is a ministry sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces’ Social Justice Committee, participation is not limited to Unitarian Universalists. People of all faiths and no faith practice participate.

Dec 16 Congregational Meeting

This meeting will be held in the church sanctuary immediately after the second service. The congregation will vote whether to approve the 2019 budget.

Dec 16 Drawing for $750 Gift Certificate

Immediately after the Congregational Meeting, there will be a drawing for the $750 gift certificate from Austin’s Fine Jewelry. All proceeds from this raffle go to the church’s General Fund and you do not have to be present to win.

Dec 21 Dining Out

Dining Out will be at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 21 at Aqua Reef Restaurant, 141 N. Roadrunner Parkway. (North of Lohman) Please sign up in the church lobby by Wednesday, December 19. For information contact DiningOut@uuchurchlc.org.

Dec 22 Solstice Service

Our ancestors may have lived in the long-ago faraway, but the great cycles of the natural world are just as relevant to us today as they ever were. In the middle of this season of holidays, the solstice gives us a chance to connect with the rhythms of the earth and to experience the perfect balance between day and night, light and dark. Desert Spirit CUUPS and church members John and Mari invite you to join them in a Winter Solstice Celebration in the church sanctuary on Saturday, December 22, at 6:00 PM. There will be a coffee and dessert buffet after the service.

Dec 25 Clayton Flowers’ Birthday

Our church patriarch, Clayton Flowers, will celebrate his 103rd birthday December 25. Especially for those who know Clayton, we suggest you send a note or card. His address is in the church directory as well as the Las Cruces phone directory. Clayton attended our Elderberry luncheon November 5, and enjoyed seeing church friends. We know he would be happy to hear from of us during this holiday season.

Jan 20 2019 Auction Kick-off Meeting

The Kick-Off Meeting for the 2019 Auction will be on January 20 at noon in the library. If you are interested in being a part of this year’s fundraiser, grab a cup of coffee after the 11:30 service and come learn more about ways you could help. Co-chairs Ilene Steele and Linda Peterson will describe the various roles needed to make the evening a success! Do you have a fun loving spirit and creativity to get members excited about this event? Like to set up a bar to quench the thirst of avid bidders? Is food your specialty? Are raffle baskets something you’ve always wanted to put together? Or do you love planning an evening of fun and food for our FUTURE auction participants (AKA the children of our church). Whatever your interests, we’d love to have you attend this initial meeting! Hope to see you on the 20th. (Feel free to contact Ilene and Linda with any questions!)

Apr 27 2019 Annual Auction

Save this date and dust off your cowboy boots. The theme for the 2019 Annual Auction will be ” A Night at the Ranch.” It’s not too early to start thinking about your cowboy hat, boots or western attire for the evening! Or about services or events you want to offer in the auction! And speaking of digging out those cowboy boots…mosey on over to the Auction Kick-off Meeting and help us wrangle a good time for everyone. See the Jan 20 meeting notice above this one.

Board of Trustees

We Are Hope

I just read a review of a book entitled Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong about the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think. When doing their research in 2013, one of the questions the authors asked was, “Has the percentage of the world population that lives in extreme poverty almost doubled, almost halved or stayed the same in the past 20 years?” Only 5 percent of Americans got the right answer. Extreme poverty has been cut almost in half.

Why did people not know this? The authors suggest that this is because most people cling to pessimism about the state of the world. This attitude is not new. John Stuart Mill, way back in 1828, neatly summarized this tendency when he wrote,

I have observed that not the man who hopes when others despair, but the man who despairs when others hope, is admired by a large class of persons as a sage.

Does this sound familiar? Do you believe that the world is going to hell in a hand-basket? Do you believe that things are worse today than they were when you were growing up? Have you lost hope?

Then I’ve got good news for you. You can take hope because the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces and the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism that we practice and preach, can be the faith that saves us and our community.

But the only way we can keep bringing this message to our Congregation and to Las Cruces is to support our Church. As of this writing, November 25, our pledge total is about 75 percent of what we need. It’s true, we still have three weeks to go before December 16, when the Congregation will vote to accept or reject the proposed Budget. But that’s not really very much time.

I suspect a majority of you have pledged already. And I’m sure some of you have even added to that pledge. But if you are one of those who hasn’t pledged yet, I urge you to fight against the Pessimism Reflex and make a contribution for hope.

In faith, Charlie Scholz, Board of Trustees President

Choir and Music

Music Notes

Recently I received in the mail a lovely postcard reminding me of the holiday worship services coming up throughout December. We are planning excellent music for each of these, with many opportunities for carol singing, and special music from David and Nancy Carlson and the choir. We hope to share music that makes you sing through the season, lightens your days, and deepens your connection to our community.

Recently I received in the mail a lovely postcard reminding me of the holiday worship services coming up throughout December.

These winter holiday seasons are hectic for most people, and no less so for church musicians and worship leaders. Self-care is important for all of us at this time. Hearing music that feeds my soul is part of my self-care. Sometimes this food for the spirit arises without my planning it. One unexpected treat was seeing Unitarian Universalist composer Rev. Jason Shelton and his Portara Ensemble of Nashville on the Country Music Awards. They sang “Love Wins” with Carrie Underwood. A heads-up on Facebook got me to tune in to a show I would have missed otherwise, and I was so proud to know someone to a great degree responsible for that awesome performance.

I have some special, planned experiences in store for me personally that are sure to inspire and motivate me in what I do musically. We have tickets to Hamilton in Chicago! Listening and singing along to the soundtrack has been my spiritual practice this fall (a departure from singing chants by Mary Grigolia or in Hindi—I’m serious) and a great source of energy for me. I can’t even say how much I am looking forward to being there (in the room where it happens).

We had planned to go to Dave Koz’s (jazz saxophonist) Christmas show at the Plaza in El Paso. He always has a fabulous lineup of guest artists, and a well-produced, varied show. We have missed it the past few years because his concert has been on Tuesdays, choir rehearsal night, but this year it is a Thursday. Just before tickets went on sale, I discovered he would be at the Chicago Theatre the weekend we are there for Hamilton. So we will hear him there, and I believe I will be musically sated. Just in time to help our congregation enjoy and cope with all of the holidays we observe this month.

Religious Education

Winter Celebrations in Religious Education

When Yule arrives, a turning point is reached. The light increases, days grow longer and nature reawakens. So the birth of the light at this time has been celebrated since the times when the light became the symbol of revelation in the world and her people.Rudolf Steiner

The high season of winter celebration is upon us. How natural it feels to honor the dark and the returning light in December. I gratefully acknowledge my Celtic ancestors this season for without their traditions and rituals around Yule, my immediate Christian and Jewish families would have no holiday at all.

I am reminded of a small book I’ve had since forever really, titled “The Twelve Gifts of Birth” by Charlene Costanzo.

Once upon a time, a long time ago, when princes and princesses lived in faraway kingdoms, all children were given twelve special gifts when they were born.

Each gift is to be remembered when and as it’s needed. Courage, beauty, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love, faith, hope, compassion and strength are all we have and all we need to live lives of meaning. May you remember to call on your gifts throughout the coming year.

This month, the children will be celebrating Hanukkah with latkes and donuts; Christmas with stars and songs and Yule by walking our Winter Spiral together.

Have you considered asking a neighbor to visit us? A grandchild, niece, nephew or godchild? Child care is available throughout the season and our Sunday mornings will be joyful as we come together to explore the Season of Lights.

See you on Sunday!
Susan

Adult Education Program

Faith formation sessions for adults will continue in January with two new offerings both offered during the daytime. And more good news, two members have recently offered to facilitate an Adult Faith Formation sub-committee so expect more offerings to come soon.

Congregational Administration

Another December approaches; year winds down; season approaches. And with all of these things, we are experiencing spiritual growth and expansion here at UUCLC. As is often the case with growth – there are new experiences and challenges we are tasked with addressing as staff. Recently, we’ve wrestled with our communication processes. We have asked ourselves, “What is the best process and procedure for each piece of communication we produce? And how can we be consistent when providing folks with the details necessary to experience fulfillment, spiritual growth, and a sense of belonging?” As we work to find the answers to several of the communication opportunities presented in our growth, you will see some updated policies and procedures, such as the following regarding announcements on Sunday mornings:

Summary

Announcements to be made on Sunday mornings must be sent to the Minister or Congregational Administrator before being presented from the pulpit.

Rationale

Announcements often pop-up on the lectern on Sunday morning unannounced. Or people drop by and hand them off to the service associate as we’re sitting waiting for services to begin. Or, a service associate makes an announcement without letting the Minister know it’s coming. All of these processes disrupt the flow of morning worship preparations and the actual service itself.

Goal

It is important for us to work together in shared ministry, especially, regarding our worship experience. Well-coordinated announcements processes help will us deliver the information in a way that is smooth while allowing the worship team to function seamlessly. Also, rather than perpetuating rugged individualism when persons want thing done, an orderly process also helps the congregation partner with the worship team in a covenantal manner.

Naoma Staley, Congregational Administrator

If you are interested in being a part of the Facilities Committee, would like to learn more about the project prioritization process, or is simply interested in seeing the full priorities list, please contact me! Email: office@uuchurchlc.org, or (575) 552-7281.

The Thuraft covenant group hosted the first two Sundays in November (Chris Ramsey, Vija Bhalla, Kris Northcutt, Karen Hall). The rest of November was hosted by Carol Winkler, Mari Cowley, John Roesch, Judy Holmes, and Ed Gomolka (Chair of Hospitality).

The Tombaugh Gallery

When it comes to “quilting” observers usually think of crafts or a nice hobby, however the quilters in the bee that meets at the Unitarian Universalist Church every Wednesday have indeed elevated their needlework skills to an art form. Their skills and design savvy transpose crafts into works of art (as well as something beautiful to cover the bed, wear or decorate walls).

December 2, 2018, these quilters will show their work in a special Tombaugh Art Gallery show that runs through Jan 6th, 2019. The show includes wall hangings, table runners, dolls, tree ornaments, pillowcases and, of course, quilts for beds. Included in the show will be a gallery of self-portraits. Quilt racks by made by Rick Kohler will also be for sale.

For details, contact Gallery@uuchurchlc.org, or call the church at 522-7281. The Tombaugh Gallery is located inside the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2000 South Solano Drive, Las Cruces, NM and is open Wednesday – Saturday 10 am – 2 pm. Visit the gallery on Facebook.

Regular Monthly Activities

Unless otherwise stated, all events will be held at the church. Please check the church’s online calendar to ensure the most recent times and places for these events. Newcomers are invited to participate in these activities.

Bridge Group plays bridge on the first, third and fifth Thursdays at 1:00 pm in the church lobby. If you want to play, be sure to contact Nancy Anderson bridge@uuchurchlc.org a few days before so we know the number of players.

Desert Spirit CUUPs is a Las Cruces chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans. We practice and educate others on Earth-centered spirituality. We gather monthly on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 6 pm for a potluck and either ritual or an informative class. All events are open to everyone interested in learning and/or growing in their spiritual path. Events held at the church unless otherwise noted. Visit http://www.facebook.com/desertspiritcuups or email lascrucescuups@gmail.com.

Dining Out: A different restaurant every month and dinner with church members. Signup sheets are in the church lobby on the welcome counter. You should sign up not later than the Wednesday prior to the dinner. Look in the church newsletter “The Light” for the exact time, date and location or contact DiningOut@uuchurchlc.org for more information or to reserve a place for the dinner.

Lunch Bunch is a weekly lunch-time get together. Everyone is invited to bring a lunch to the church library every Wednesday at 12:00 noon and enjoy the company of fellow Unitarian Universalists.

Quilting Bee: The UU Bee Welcome, meets every week in the church lobby. The Bee is open to all levels of quilters, both members and non-members. It welcomes all styles of quilting work from machine-quilting to hand-quilting to appliqué. The purpose of a quilting bee is to provide an opportunity for quilters to spend time together as they work on their individual quilting projects and exchange tips of the trade, encourage and support each other, share new ideas, deepen friendships, and generally have a good time. A $1 donation per quilter will be given at each session to cover the cost of utilities. The contact person is Chris Ramsey.

Unitarian Universalist Children’s Playgroups (all are welcome): Parents/caregivers must remain on site with their children. The members of the group plan outings, holiday celebrations and other activities together. Contact Susan Freudenthal, DRE, for more information.

Monthly Calendar: To get the information you need about the many and varied activities of our church, go to http://www.uuchurchlc.org/ and scroll down the page to the calendar and events listings.

The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.

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Board of Trustees

Officers

Charlie Scholz, President

Lyn Pearson, Vice President

Chris Ramsey, Secretary

Mark Sukontarak, Treasurer

At Large Members

Laurel Irwin-Atchison

Cass Calway

Ada Moranescu

Rebecca Richins

Xolani Kacela

Unitarian Universalists are called to go beyond the walls of our community in order to engage with the critical social and civic conversations of our day. This kind of broader, public leadership is an invitation to embody our faith’s prophetic vision and voice.